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Tanzania: A Civic United Front (CUF) rally in Mkunazi, Zanzibar on 29 November 1997; time it began; whether there was violence and arrest of participants; and whether they were released

According to Country Reports 1997, opposition parties in Zanzibar were not permitted to hold rallies although the government "occasionally" lifted the ban (1998, 349). Country Reports further reports that "police arrested 7 CUF officials including two Parliamentarians on the eve of the November 30 Mkunazini by-election in Zanziba, which was won by the CUF. After the election, police arrested an additional 7 party officials, eventually charging each of the 14 persons with treason for having attempted to overthrow the Zanzibar Government" (ibid.).

Africa Research Bulletin (ARB) (Nov. 1997, 13339) and Keesing's Record of World Events (Dec. 1997, 41950) both corroborate the charge and the arrests although ARB cites 18 detainees instead of 14. ARB further claims that according to Amnesty  International, the detainees are held in harsh conditions, and are only allowed brief fortnightly visits from their families. AI has also been concerned about the deteriorating health and denial of adequate medical treatment for the 18 detainees. One of the two women detained, Zulekha Ahmed Mohamed, is ill with diabetes, hypertension and a suspected femoral hernia. She has been refused admission to hospital (Nov. 1997, 13339).

Country Reports 1998 states that the Government Prosecutors in 1998 repeatedly  postponed the hearing of the "17 CUF officials, and no trial date had been set by year's end" (1999, 416).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. November 1998. Vol. 35. No. 11. "Tanzania: CUF  Detainees."

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 1997-1998. 1998-1999. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. December 1997. Vol. 43, No. 12. "Tanzania."

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential [London]. January 1997 - December 1998. Vols. 37-38. Nos. 1-25.

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. Weekly.29 November - 20 December 1997. Nos. 789-792.

Electronic sources: IRB databases, Internet, LEXIS/NEXIS, World Network Connection (WNC)

Topics: Prison conditions, Freedom of assembly,